CSIRO is using safflower as its first biofactory platform crop. Image credit - Carl Davies, CSIRO

by Staff WritersCanberra, Australia (SPX) Nov 04, 2008
CSIRO scientists have joined one of the world's largest biotechnology consortia to help develop crops which produce oils to be used by the chemicals industry as sustainable alternatives to those derived from the world's non-renewable stocks of crude oil.

ICON is modifying the non-food oilseed crops, Crambe abyssinica and Brassica carinata, so they produce wax esters, which are much more resistant to high temperatures and pressures than normal plant oils. This will substantially increase the industrial uses of the plants' oils.

"We aim to contribute to ICON by discovering novel genes for wax synthesis, which could be produced in crops," says senior CSIRO Plant Industry scientist, Dr Allan Green.

"CSIRO is also well placed to assist ICON improve Crambe's seed yield to enable it to become a more competitive industrial crop.

"We're already developing crops to provide renewable industrial raw materials to replace petrochemicals through the Crop Biofactories Initiative - a joint venture between CSIRO and the Grains Research and Development Corporation."

Earlier this year CSIRO announced it would use safflower as its first biofactory platform crop because it is hardy, easy to grow, widely adapted and easily isolated from food production systems.

"ICON complements our Crop Biofactories Initiative, as it will help develop the next generation of high-yield, non-food crop platforms for production of industrial products, and will serve as an ice-breaker to show how agriculture can contribute to a sustainable industrial economy in a post-petroleum future."

While there are a range of alternatives to using fossil fuels for energy, only biological materials can replace petroleum-derived lubricants and industrial chemicals. Processing petroleum also uses a lot of energy that could be saved if crops produced oils designed for specific needs.

Farmers could also receive premium prices for these new crops, which would take up a minimum
energy crops.

Bangladesh mobilises warships over Myanmar gas tensionsDhaka (AFP) Nov 3, 2008 Bangladesh mobilised three warships and said it would take "all possible measures" to protect its territory Monday after accusing neighbouring Myanmar of encroaching on its seawaters to hunt for gas.

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